Cacti are beautiful plants to decorate your home or garden, whether your purpose is to grow them for food, or just as ornamental plants. Most people imagine a thorny plant standing alone in the desert when they hear the word cactus. In fact, this plant belonging to the Cactaceae family has a variety of species that can grow and thrive in a humid environment. In caring for cacti, whether they live in arid or humid environments, you must pay attention to the amount of sun exposure the cactus receives, as well as the amount of water and the type of the soil in the container in which the cactus is embedded and you will also have to make minor adjustments for the plant to thrive. Follow the steps below to start planting cacti.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Growing a Cactus from Seed
Step 1. Pick the seed pods from the cactus or buy cactus seeds
You have two options for getting seeds to start planting your cactus, namely: by buying seeds from a plant store/supplier, or you can also pick them directly from the cactus you have. Here, you're actually choosing between price and convenience -- store-bought seeds are cheap and well-packaged, while those that you pick yourself will require some further processing.
- If you're looking to buy cactus seeds, you should have no trouble finding a place that sells them. Many garden supply stores sell cactus seeds. You can also buy them online, where you can see hundreds of different types of cacti before you order them.
- If on the other hand, you want to pick cactus seeds yourself, start by looking for seed pods or fruit on your cactus. Usually, the pod grows into a branch from the core of the cactus body that has flowered. When the flowers have fallen, the cactus pods/fruits are ripe and ready to be harvested (assuming it has gone through the pollination process).
Step 2. If you are harvesting cactus seeds from the pods, pick the pods
Pick the pods or fruit from the cactus before they dry out. The pods/fruits don't have to have very high humidity, but at least they're still a little wet if you press them. Cactus seeds can come in many different shapes and appearances. Some types of seeds are dark black or have reddish spots that are clearly visible, some are very small and fine, so they look like sand or dust.
The way the pod detaches from the cactus is a good indicator of the maturity of the pod. Ripe pods with mature seeds should be able to be easily removed and leave the interior fiber/cotton on the cactus
Step 3. Next, harvest the cactus seeds from the pods that you have picked
Once you've plucked all the ripe pods from your cactus, it's time to remove the seeds inside. Start by splitting the top of the pod with a sharp knife. Then, split one side so you can see where the seeds are. Then, remove the seeds by scraping them out of the pods.
Harvesting seeds from a tropical cactus may be different from harvesting seeds from a desert cactus, but the general concept is the same --pick the cactus fruit from the stem and open it to find the seeds. For example, the seeds of the Christmas cactus which is a type of tropical cactus whose seeds can be harvested by picking the fruit that is shaped like a blueberry and then squeezed / split to get the seeds
Step 4. Plant the cactus seeds in highly absorbent soil
The seeds you get either from the store or from the harvest, you should plant them in a clean, shallow container filled with soil suitable for growing the cactus. Loosen the soil well before you plant the cactus so that the water doesn't stagnate. Then, spread the seeds on the surface of the soil (no need to bury). After that, cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil/sand. Cactus seeds have little energy reserves, and if planted too deep, they will run out of energy before they can reach the ground.
- It is important to use highly absorbent soil, especially if you are growing desert cacti. Since desert cacti do not require high water intake in their natural habitat, they will be susceptible to root disease if the soil in which they are planted leaves standing water. Try using a high-quality mixed soil with a mixture of pumice and granite for good absorption.
- If the soil you're using hasn't been pasteurized (it should have been stated on the package), it might be best to preheat it in a 150 degree celsius oven for 30 minutes. This process will kill pests and harmful bacteria in the soil.
Step 5. Close the container and leave it out in the sun
Once you've loosened the soil and planted the cactus seeds, cover your container with a transparent lid (such as clear plastic wrap) and place it in a place where the seeds can receive enough sunlight -- windows through which sunlight can enter are great places. Do not provide intense and continuous sun exposure, but enough with moderate sunlight for a few hours each day. The transparent lid you use will keep the moisture in while your cacti begin to grow in the sun.
- Be patient to wait for the cactus to germinate. The germination process can take several weeks or even months, depending on the type of cactus you are planting.
- Tropical cacti naturally grow in shady places under the shade of trees, so naturally they need less sunlight than desert cacti. You can plant tropical cacti in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. You can also hang potted tropical cacti under a shade awning.
Step 6. Place the tropical cactus in a warm and consistent place
Arid cacti are naturally able to survive extreme temperatures (very hot during the day and very cold at night), while tropical cacti are better suited to survive in a fresh and consistent temperature environment. So, place the tropical cactus in a place that is protected from extreme changes in environmental temperature so that it can grow well. Try to leave tropical cacti at 21-24 degrees celsius -- a greenhouse is a great place for tropical cacti.
If you don't live in a tropical climate, it might be better if you put a tropical cactus indoors, where the temperature and sun exposure that the cactus receives are more stable
Part 2 of 3: Caring for a Cactus
Step 1. When the cactus spines begin to appear, provide an opening for the cactus to breathe
After a few weeks have passed, the seeds you planted should begin to germinate. Cacti are generally quite slow growing, you may have to wait more than a month for the cactus seeds to germinate. Then, you should see the first very small cactus spines. When this happens, allow the cactus to breathe by opening the transparent lid during the day. As the cactus grows, you can leave the cactus open for a longer period of time until the cactus is strong enough and doesn't need a lid anymore.
- It should be borne in mind that opening the transparent lid will increase evaporation from the soil. This means that you have to start watering it. Be careful not to let the soil get too dry, and also don't let the water stagnate after you water it.
- Also keep in mind that tropical cacti don't have thorns, so start giving the cactus a breather when the seeds of the tropical cactus begin to sprout and you can see them through the ground.
Step 2. Transfer the cacti to a larger container when they are old enough
As mentioned above, that cactus grows quite slowly. Depending on the type of cactus you have, it may take 6 to 12 months to reach the size of a large marble. If the cactus is mature enough, it is best to transfer it to a new container. Like any other plant, growing a cactus in a container that is too small will cause it to lack nutrients, stunt its growth and even kill the cactus.
To move a cactus, wear thick, hard gloves or a shovel to remove the cactus by the roots from its container. Plant the cactus in a new, larger container with the same type of soil, then water the cactus
Step 3. Leave the cactus in the shade for the healing process
In addition to the cactus body, cactus roots also grow. Because cacti continue to grow over time, which can take years, you may need to transfer them to another container several times. However, the process of moving the container can stress the plant, so you should let it "heal" every time you move it to a new container. Place your cactus in a shady place until the roots solidify in the new container. Gradually, "re-introduce" your cactus to the sun for about a month.
Step 4. Water occasionally
Mature cacti require very little water than other potted plants. Although they need "little" water, they are known as "hardy" plants for survival without needing a lot of water. Although each type of cactus has a different need for water, it is advisable to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. Depending on the temperature and weather, you'll usually only need to water once a month, or it could take longer than a month.
- Remember that cacti grow slowly and grow gradually. Therefore, cacti do not require large amounts of water. Watering cacti too often will cause cactus problems, including root diseases that can cause the cactus to die.
- Tropical cacti are an exception to this rule, because naturally, they are able to adapt to a humid environment compared to desert cacti. You can water a tropical cactus a little more often, but it's best to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering.
Step 5. Fertilize small cacti in the growing months
Although cacti grow slowly, you can increase their growth with a little fertilizer or plant food in the spring and dry seasons. In general, cacti require less fertilizer than other plants -- try using a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month. Mix a small amount of liquid fertilizer with an equal amount of water, then apply this mixture to the cactus as you normally would.
The amount of fertilizer you can apply depends on the species and size of the cactus you are fertilizing. The specific information should be on the package of the fertilizer you are using
Part 3 of 3: Solving Common Problems in Cacti
Step 1. Prevent rot by not watering too much water
One of the most common problems with potted plants is root rot. This usually occurs because the roots of the plant are inundated by water for too long and the soil is not absorbing water well, which causes root rot. This occurs in most potted plants, however, desert cacti are very susceptible to this disease because they require only a small amount of water compared to other plants. Prevention is the best way to avoid this problem, by not watering too much. For cacti, it is better to water too little water than to water too much.
If your plant is affected by this disease, it will appear swollen, tender, brownish, and rotting, and may be divided into several parts on the plant surface. Often, but not always, the disease starts from the bottom of the plant. Your options for treating this disease are very limited. You can try removing the cactus from its pot, trimming off any slimy, blackened roots and dead parts of the cactus body, then transfer it to a new container with clean soil. However, if the plant has been badly damaged, the plant may still die even after being removed. In many cases, usually plants affected by this disease are better removed so that other nearby plants are not infected
Step 2. Treat etiolation by providing gradual sun exposure
Etiolation is a condition where plants grow quickly without exposure to sunlight, but tend to be weak and pale. Etiolated cacti are usually thin, thin, and pale light green in color. If there is a light source, the etiolated parts of the plant will grow towards the light source. The shape of the plant that is formed due to etiolation is permanent and cannot be repaired. The only thing you can do is prevent further etiolation by providing adequate sun exposure.
However, don't let the etiolated cactus get direct exposure to intense sunlight. Do this process gradually, and increase the length of time the cactus is exposed to sunlight every day until the cactus growth is normal. Plants will be stressed if suddenly exposed to intense sunlight. In etiolated plants, this can be fatal
Step 3. Avoid phototoxicity by limiting sun exposure after pesticide application
Phototoxicity is a disease that is similar to occurrences such as when you get a serious burn after you have been in the water for a certain period of time. After you apply an oil-based pesticide to the surface of your plant, the pesticide oil will remain on the surface of your plant, and work like a tanning lotion which increases the intensity of the sunlight it receives. This will cause the plant parts where the pesticide oil is present to burn, shrivel, or dry out. To prevent this, place the cactus in the shade for a few days after applying the oil-based pesticide until there is no more pesticide left on your plants.
Step 4. Don't be afraid of the natural aging of the cactus
One aspect of the cactus life cycle that most people don't know about is a process called "corking," in which the underside of an adult cactus begins to harden, brown, and look like tree bark. While this condition may seem serious where the green color of the cactus is reduced and replaced by a brown color making it look like an unhealthy plant, it is actually not a sign of any danger to your cactus at all and can usually be ignored.
The "corking" process usually starts at the bottom of the cactus and slowly works its way up. If the corking process doesn't start at the bottom, this could be a sign of a problem with your cactus. For example, if the top and sides of the cactus that are facing the sun look brown but the bottom of the cactus is not browning at all, then this could mean that your cactus is getting too much sun
Tips
- Try feeding your cactus plant food.
- If you want to plant many cacti at once, you can plant them in the same container by giving the cacti a balanced distance between them. When the cactus grows to the size of a large marble, transfer the cactus to its own container.
- Use the same type of soil mix when you transplant your cactus.
Warning
- Watch out for parasites that may attack your cactus, especially the "Flour Insects," which usually look like white clumps. Separate the parasites using a stick or skewer and apply pesticides to kill hard-to-reach parasites.
- Use a pesticide such as malathion to kill red spider mites and Coccoidea, which usually look like brown dots.
- Wear thick gloves when you want to touch a prickly cactus.
